Navigation system, method and device with detour algorithm

ABSTRACT

Systems, devices and methods are provided for an improved navigational route planning device which provides more understandable, accurate and timely route calculation capabilities. The navigational aid device with route calculation capabilities includes a processor connected to a memory. The memory includes cartographic data and a desired destination, the cartographic data including data indicative of thoroughfares of a plurality of types. A display is connected to the processor and is capable of displaying the cartographic data. The device is adapted to process the device=s location and travel along a planned route. And, the device is adapted to dynamically calculate a new route to the desired destination with a preference for avoiding a particular portion of a thoroughfare or one or more different thoroughfares in a previous route.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional and claims priority benefit of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/035,243, filed Jan. 13, 2005, which is adivisional and claims priority benefit of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 10/701,771, filed Nov. 5, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,999,873, whichis a continuation and claimed priority benefit of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/028,343, filed Dec. 21, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No.6,687,615. Thus, this application claims priority benefit of U.S. Pat.No. 6,687,615. The above-identified applications are hereby incorporatedby reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to navigational devices, and inparticular to navigational devices with detour route calculationcapabilities.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Route planning devices are well known in the field of navigationalinstruments. The method of route planning implemented by known prior artsystems depends on the capabilities of system resources, such asprocessor speed and the amount and speed of memory. As increased systemcapability also increases system cost, the method of route planningimplemented by a navigation device is a function of overall system cost.

One feature of increased system capability involves detour routecalculation capabilities. Many conventional navigational devices simplydo not incorporate a detour route calculation functionality in order toreduce system complexity and maintain a low overall system cost. Some ofthese devices may alert the user that they are off course when the usermakes a detour, but they do not perform any course or routerecalculation to accommodate for the intended or unintended detour inroute. The intended or unintended detour can be for reasons such asthoroughfare conditions, thoroughfare congestion (e.g. rush hour or roadconstruction), check point delays and the like. Some navigationaldevices include functionality which allows the device to calculate a newroute based on an in route decision to avoid one or more thoroughfares,or sections, of a planned route. However, these devices require the userto point to, highlight, or draw a box around the segment which the userwants to avoid. That is, the decision to calculate a new route is notdynamically tied to the current route on which the user is traveling.Requiring the user to point to, highlight, or draw a box around thesegment which the user wants to avoid is also distracting to do whilethe user is driving or trying to navigate the route.

In conventional navigational methods and devices the user may have tohalt their journey in an attempt to decide upon a new route, or course,and must rely on traditional navigational methods, e.g. askingdirections, following detour signs (in the case of a forced detour) orusing a conventional map. In some devices, the user may still be able tosee the previously planned route, but they will have to employ their owndecision making to chart themselves around that portion of the previousroute they want to avoid and yet still be headed toward a desireddestination. This can be time consuming and provide frustration to auser who is likely unfamiliar with the routes surrounding their currentlocation.

Clearly, in many cases halting travel to decide upon a new route is nota viable alternative. For example, when the user is traveling on aninterstate it is entirely impossible to simply stop. The alternative ofpulling off on the shoulder is undesirable and can be dangerous.Stopping travel is equally undesirable since doing so increases traveltime and provides an added inconvenience to the user. In otherinstances, such as navigating downtown city streets, the traffic issuesalone may prevent the user from stopping their vehicle to decide upon anew route. As mentioned above, even if the user has the ability tosafely stop their vehicle, such as when traveling in a neighborhood, theinconvenience factor is present.

Another problem is that when a device is used to perform a new routecalculation from a new position (off of the originally planned route) toa desired destination, the calculation is not going to take into accountthe reason for the intended or unintended detour. As a result, the newroute calculation will often provide a route which includes travel onthe thoroughfare from which the detour was taken. Thus, the new routedoes not provide any solution to the need for avoiding the thoroughfarefrom which the detour was taken. As the reader will appreciate theintended or unintended detour may be for reasons of traffic congestion,road construction, the type of thoroughfare, and the like.

In summary, current prior art systems have created a spectrum ofproducts in which the degree of navigational accuracy is dictatedprimarily by the cost of the system. The lower cost systems currentlyoffer a low degree of accuracy and functionality that is ofteninadequate for users. Therefore, there exists a need for a navigationalroute planning device which is more efficient and accurate than currentlow cost systems, without requiring more expensive system resources. Inaddition, there is also a need for a navigational route planning devicewhich provides a user with more dynamic route calculation capabilities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above mentioned problems with navigational devices, as well as otherproblems, are addressed by the present invention and will be understoodby reading and studying the following specification. Systems and methodsare provided for a navigational route planning device which is more userintuitive, efficient, timely, and accurate than current low costsystems, without requiring the more expensive system resources. Thesystems and methods of the present invention offer an improvednavigational route planning device which provides a user with moredynamic route calculation capabilities.

In one embodiment of the present invention, an electronic navigationalaid device with improved route calculation capabilities is provided. Thenavigational aid device includes a processor with a display connected tothe processor. A memory is connected to the processor as well. Thememory includes cartographic data and a route to a desired destinationstored therein. The cartographic data includes data indicative ofthoroughfares of a plurality of types. The device processes travel alongthe route. The device is capable of selecting a detour around one ormore portions of a thoroughfare, a group of thoroughfares, or one ormore sections in a network of thoroughfares. The device calculates a newroute to navigate to the desired destination. In order to calculate thenew route, the device performs a route cost analysis.

These and other embodiments, aspects, advantages, and features of thepresent invention will be set forth in part in the description whichfollows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art byreference to the following description of the invention and referenceddrawings or by practice of the invention. The aspects, advantages, andfeatures of the invention are realized and attained by means of theinstrumentalities, procedures, and combinations particularly pointed outin the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a representative view of a Global Positioning System (GPS);

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate views for one embodiment of an electronicnavigational device according to the teachings of the present invention;

FIGS. 3A–3C illustrate views for another embodiment of an electronicnavigational device according to the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a block diagram of one embodiment for the electroniccomponents within the hardware of FIGS. 2A–2B according to the teachingsof the present invention;

FIG. 4B is a block diagram of one embodiment for the electroniccomponents within the hardware of FIGS. 3A–3C according to the teachingsof the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a navigation system according to theteachings of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of one embodiment of a navigation aid methodaccording to the teachings of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of another embodiment of a navigation aidmethod according to the teachings of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description of the invention, reference ismade to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in whichis shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which theinvention may be practiced. The embodiments are intended to describeaspects of the invention in sufficient detail to enable those skilled inthe art to practice the invention. Other embodiments may be utilized andchanges may be made without departing from the scope of the presentinvention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to betaken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention isdefined only by the appended claims, along with the full scope ofequivalents to which such claims are entitled.

The present invention is drawn to navigational systems and deviceshaving route calculation capabilities. One type of navigational systemincludes Global Positioning Systems (GPS). Such systems are known andhave a variety of uses. In general, GPS is a satellite-based radionavigation system capable of determining continuous position, velocity,time, and in some instances direction information for an unlimitednumber of users. Formally known as NAVSTAR, the GPS incorporates aplurality of satellites which orbit the earth in extremely preciseorbits. Based on these precise orbits, GPS satellites can relay theirlocation to any number of receiving units.

The GPS system is implemented when a device specially equipped toreceive GPS data begins scanning radio frequencies for GPS satellitesignals. Upon receiving a radio signal from a GPS satellite, the devicecan determine the precise location of that satellite via one ofdifferent conventional methods. The device will continue scanning forsignals until it has acquired at least three different satellitesignals. Implementing geometric triangulation, the receiver utilizes thethree known positions to determine its own two-dimensional positionrelative to the satellites. Additionally, acquiring a fourth satellitesignal will allow the receiving device to calculate itsthree-dimensional position by the same geometrical calculation. Thepositioning and velocity data can be updated in real time on acontinuous basis by an unlimited number of users.

FIG. 1 is representative of a GPS denoted generally by reference numeral100. A plurality of satellites 120 are in orbit about the Earth 124. Theorbit of each satellite 120 is not necessarily synchronous with theorbits of other satellites 120 and, in fact, is likely asynchronous. AGPS receiver device 140 of the present invention is shown receivingspread spectrum GPS satellite signals 160 from the various satellites120.

The spread spectrum signals 160 continuously transmitted from eachsatellite 120 utilize a highly accurate frequency standard accomplishedwith an extremely accurate atomic clock. Each satellite 120, as part ofits data signal transmission 160, transmits a data stream indicative ofthat particular satellite 120. It will be appreciated by those skilledin the relevant art that the GPS receiver device 140 must acquire spreadspectrum GPS satellite signals 160 from at least three satellites 120for the GPS receiver device 140 to calculate its two-dimensionalposition by triangulation. Acquisition of an additional signal 160,resulting in signals 160 from a total of four satellites 120, permitsGPS receiver device 140 to calculate its three-dimensional position.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate views for one embodiment of an electronicnavigational device 230 according to the teachings of the presentinvention. As one of ordinary skill in the art will understand uponreading this disclosure, the device can be portable and can be utilizedin any number of implementations such as automobile, personal marinecraft, and avionic navigation. In the embodiment of FIG. 2A a front viewof the navigational device 230 is provided showing the navigationaldevice has a generally rectangular housing 232. The housing 232 isconstructed of resilient material and has been rounded for aesthetic andergonomic purposes. As shown in FIG. 2A, the control face 234 has accessslots for an input key pad 238, other individual keys 239, and a displayscreen 236. In one embodiment, the display screen 236 is a LCD displaywhich is capable of displaying both text and graphical information. Theinvention, however, is not so limited. Audio information can likewise beprovided in one embodiment.

In FIG. 2B, a side view of the navigational device 230 is provided. FIG.2B illustrates that the device's housing 232 is defined by an outerfront case 240 and a rear case 242. As shown in FIG. 2B, the outer frontcase 240 is defined by the control face 234. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 2B, the outer front case 240 and the rear case 242 are made of onemolded piece to form the device housing 232 and support input key pad238, other individual keys 239, and display screen 236 in respectiveaccess slots shown in the control face 234 of FIG. 2A.

FIGS. 3A–3C illustrate views for another embodiment of an electronicnavigational device 310 according to the teachings of the presentinvention. The navigational device 310 shown in FIGS. 3A–3C includes apersonal digital assistant (PDA) with integrated GPS receiver andcellular transceiver according to the teachings of the presentinvention. The GPS integrated PDA operates with an operating system (OS)such as, for example, the well-known Palm or Pocket PC operatingsystems, or the lesser-used Linux OS. As shown in the top view of FIG.3A, the GPS integrated PDA 310 includes an internal integrated GPS patchantenna 314 and a cellular transceiver 316 contained in a housing 318.The housing 318 is generally rectangular with a low profile and has afront face 320 extending from a top end 322 to a bottom end 324. Mountedon front face 320 is a display screen 326, which is touch sensitive andresponsive to a stylus 330 (shown stored in the side view of FIG. 3B) ora finger touch. FIGS. 3A–3C illustrate the stylus 330 nested withinhousing 318 for storage and convenient access in a conventional manner.The embodiment shown in FIG. 3A illustrates a number of control buttons,or input keys 328 positioned toward the bottom end 324. The invention,however, is not so limited and one of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that the input keys 328 can be positioned toward the top end322 or at any other suitable location. The end view of FIG. 3Cillustrates a map data cartridge bay slot 332 and headphone jack 334provided at the top end 322 of the housing 318. Again, the invention isnot so limited and one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate thata map data cartridge bay slot 332 and headphone jack 334 can be providedat the bottom end 324, separately at opposite ends, or at any othersuitable location.

It should be understood that the structure of GPS integrated PDA 310 isshown as illustrative of one type of integrated PDA navigation device.Other physical structures, such as a cellular telephone and avehicle-mounted unit are contemplated within the scope of thisinvention.

FIGS. 2A–2B and 3A–3C are provided as illustrative examples of hardwarecomponents for a navigational device according to the teachings of thepresent invention. However, the invention is not limited to theconfiguration shown in FIGS. 2A–2B and 3A–3C. One of ordinary skill inthe art will appreciate other suitable designs for a hardware devicewhich can accommodate the present invention.

FIG. 4A is a block diagram of one embodiment for the electroniccomponents within the hardware of FIGS. 2A–2B, such as within housing232 and utilized by the electronic navigational device. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 4A, the electronic components include aprocessor 410 which is connected to an input 420, such as keypad vialine 425. It will be understood that input 420 may alternatively be amicrophone for receiving voice commands. Processor 410 communicates withmemory 430 via line 435. Processor 410 also communicates with displayscreen 440 via line 445. An antenna/receiver 450, such as a GPSantenna/receiver is connected to processor 410 via line 455. It will beunderstood that the antenna and receiver, designated by referencenumeral 450, are combined schematically for illustration, but that theantenna and receiver may be separately located components, and that theantenna may be a GPS patch antenna or a helical antenna. The electroniccomponents further include I/O ports 470 connected to processor 410 vialine 475.

FIG. 4B is a block diagram of one embodiment for the electroniccomponents within the hardware of FIGS. 3A–3C and utilized by the GPSintegrated PDA 310 according to the teachings of the present invention.The electronic components shown in FIG. 4B include a processor 436 whichis connected to the GPS antenna 414 through GPS receiver 438 via line441. The processor 436 interacts with an operating system (such asPalmOS; Pocket PC) that runs selected software depending on the intendeduse of the PDA 310. Processor 436 is coupled with memory 442 such as RAMvia line 444, and power source 446 for powering the electroniccomponents of PDA 310. The processor 436 communicates with touchsensitive display screen 426 via data line 448.

The electronic components further include two other input sources thatare connected to the processor 436. Control buttons 428 are connected toprocessor 436 via line 451 and a map data cartridge 433 inserted intocartridge bay 432 is connected via line 452. A serial I/O port 454 isconnected to the processor 436 via line 456. Cellular antenna 416 isconnected to cellular transceiver 458, which is connected to theprocessor 436 via line 466. Processor 436 is connected to thespeaker/headphone jack 434 via line 462. The PDA 310 may also include aninfrared port (not shown) coupled to the processor 436 that may be usedto beam information from one PDA to another.

As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, theelectronic components shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B are powered by a powersource in a conventional manner. As will be understood by one ofordinary skill in the art, different configurations of the componentsshown in FIGS. 4A and 4B are considered within the scope of the presentinvention. For example, in one embodiment, the components shown in FIGS.4A and 4B are in communication with one another via wireless connectionsand the like. Thus, the scope of the navigation device of the presentinvention includes a portable electronic navigational aid device.

Using the processing algorithms of the present invention, the device iscapable of dynamically selecting a detour around one or more portions ofa thoroughfare, a group of thoroughfares, or one or more sections in anetwork of thoroughfares. The device calculates a new route to navigateto the desired destination. In order to calculate the new route, thedevice performs a route cost analysis. The device then uses thoseelectronic components to calculate a new route to navigate to thedesired destination. According to the teachings of the presentinvention, the device incorporates these and other functions as will beexplained in more detail below in connection with FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a navigation system whichcan be adapted to the teachings of the present invention. The navigationsystem includes a server 502. According to one embodiment, the server502 includes a processor 504 operably coupled to memory 506, and furtherincludes a transmitter 508 and a receiver 510 to send and receive data,communication, and/or other propagated signals. The transmitter 508 andreceiver 510 are selected or designed according to the communicationrequirements and the communication technology used in the communicationdesign for the navigation system. The functions of the transmitter 508and the receiver 510 may be combined into a single transceiver.

The navigation system further includes a mass data storage 512 coupledto the server 502 via communication link 514. The mass data storage 512contains a store of navigation data. One of ordinary skill in the artwill understand, upon reading and comprehending this disclosure, thatthe mass data storage 512 can be separate device from the server 502 orcan be incorporated into the server 502.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the navigation systemfurther includes a navigation device 516 adapted to communicate with theserver 502 through the communication channel 518. According to oneembodiment, the navigation device 516 includes a processor and memory,as previously shown and described with respect to the block diagram ofFIGS. 4A and 4B. Furthermore, the navigation device 516 includes atransmitter 520 and receiver 522 to send and receive communicationsignals through the communication channel 518. The transmitter 520 andreceiver 522 are selected or designed according to the communicationrequirements and the communication technology used in the communicationdesign for the navigation system. The functions of the transmitter 520and receiver 522 may be combined into a single transceiver.

Software stored in the server memory 506 provides instructions for theprocessor 504 and allows the server 502 to provide services to thenavigation device 516. One service provided by the server 502 involvesprocessing requests from the navigation device 516 and transmittingnavigation data from the mass data storage 512 to the navigation device516. According to one embodiment, another service provided by the server502 includes processing the navigation data using various algorithms fora desired application, and sending the results of these calculations tothe navigation device 516.

The communication channel 518 is the propagating medium or path thatconnects the navigation device 516 and the server 502. According to oneembodiment, both the server 502 and the navigation device 516 include atransmitter for transmitting data through the communication channel anda receiver for receiving data that has been transmitted through thecommunication channel.

The communication channel 518 is not limited to a particularcommunication technology. Additionally, the communication channel 518 isnot limited to a single communication technology; that is, the channel518 may include several communication links that use a variety oftechnology. For example, according to various embodiments, thecommunication channel is adapted to provide a path for electrical,optical, and/or electromagnetic communications. As such, thecommunication channel includes, but is not limited to, one or acombination of the following: electrical circuits, electrical conductorssuch as wires and coaxial cables, fiber optic cables, converters,radio-frequency (RF) waveguides, the atmosphere, and empty space.Furthermore, according to various embodiments, the communication channelincludes intermediate devices such as routers, repeaters, buffers,transmitters, and receivers, for example.

In one embodiment, for example, the communication channel 518 includestelephone and computer networks. Furthermore, in various embodiments,the communication channel 518 is capable of accommodating wirelesscommunication such as radio frequency, microwave frequency and infraredcommunication, and the like. Additionally, according to variousembodiments, the communication channel 518 accommodates satellitecommunication.

The communication signals transmitted through the communication channel518 include such signals as may be required or desired for a givencommunication technology. For example, the signals may be adapted to beused in cellular communication technology, such as time divisionmultiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), codedivision multiple access (CDMA), global system for mobile communications(GSM), and the like. Both digital and analog signals may be transmittedthrough the communication channel 518. According to various embodiments,these signals are modulated, encrypted and/or compressed signals as maybe desirable for the communication technology.

The mass data storage includes sufficient memory for the desirednavigation application. Examples of mass data storage include magneticdata storage media such as hard drives, optical data storage media suchas CD ROMs, charge storing data storage media such as Flash memory, andmolecular memory, such as now known or hereinafter developed.

According to one embodiment of the navigation system, the 502 serverincludes a remote server accessed by the navigation device 516 through awireless channel. According to other embodiments of the navigationsystem, the server 502 includes a network server located on a local areanetwork (LAN), wide area network (WAN), a virtual private network (VPN)and server farms.

According to another embodiment of the navigation system, the server 502includes a personal computer such as a desktop or laptop computer. Inone embodiment, the communication channel 518 is a cable connectedbetween the personal computer and the navigation device. According toone embodiment, the communication channel 518 is a wireless connectionbetween the personal computer and the navigation device 516.

FIG. 5 presents yet another embodiment for a collective set ofelectronic components adapted to the present invention. As one ofordinary skill in the art will understand upon reading and comprehendingthis disclosure, the navigation system of FIG. 5 is adapted to thepresent invention in a manner distinguishable from that described andexplained in detail in connection with FIGS. 4A and 4B.

That is, the navigational system 500 of FIG. 5 is likewise adapted toprovide an electronic navigational aid device 516 with improved, dynamicroute calculation capabilities. In this embodiment, the processor 504 inthe server 502 is used to handle the bulk of the system's processingneeds. The mass storage device 512 connected to the server can includevolumes more cartographic and route data than that which is able to bemaintained on the navigational device 516 itself. In this embodiment,the server 502 processes the majority of a device's travel along theroute using a set of processing algorithms and the cartographic androute data stored in memory 512 and can operate on signals, e.g. GPSsignals, originally received by the navigational device 516. Similar tothe navigational device of FIGS. 4A and 4B, the navigation device 516 insystem 500 is outfitted with a display 524 and GPS capabilities 526.

As described and explained in detail in connection with FIGS. 4A and 4B,the navigation system of FIG. 5 uses processing algorithms. In theinvention, the device is capable of selecting a detour with a preferencefor avoiding one or more portions of a thoroughfare, a group ofthoroughfares, or one or more sections in a network of thoroughfares.The device calculates a new route to navigate to the desireddestination. In order to calculate the new route, the device performs aroute cost analysis. The system uses the processing algorithms and theelectronic components shown in FIG. 5 to calculate a new route fornavigating the device 516 to the desired destination. As one of ordinaryskill in the art will understand upon reading and comprehending thisdisclosure, a user of the navigation device 516 can be proximate to oraccompanying the navigation device 516. The invention however, is not solimited.

According to the teachings of the present invention, the device iscapable of selecting a detour around one or more portions of athoroughfare, a group of thoroughfares, or one or more sections in anetwork of thoroughfares. The device calculates a new route to navigateto the desired destination. In order to calculate the new route, thedevice performs a route cost analysis. In one embodiment, based on theroute cost analysis, the new route avoids the one or more portions of athoroughfare, a group of thoroughfares, or one or more sections in anetwork of thoroughfares. In one embodiment, based on the route costanalysis, the new route at least partially avoids the one or moreportions of a thoroughfare, a group of thoroughfares, or one or moresections in a network of thoroughfares. In still another embodiment,based on the route cost analysis, the new route does not avoid the oneor more portions of a thoroughfare, a group of thoroughfares, or one ormore sections in a network of thoroughfares. The navigation device 516of the present invention includes a portable electronic navigational aiddevice. In one embodiment, the portable electronic navigational aiddevice includes a personal digital assistant (PDA). In one embodiment,the portable electronic navigational aid device includes a wirelesscommunications device.

The features and functionality explained and described in detail abovein connection with the device of FIGS. 4A and 4B are likewise availablein the system 500 of FIG. 5. That is, in one embodiment the navigationdevice 516 further provides audio and visual cues to aid the navigationalong the route.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of one embodiment of a navigation aid methodaccording to the teachings of the present invention. The navigation aidmethod includes a method for performing a route calculation within anavigation device or navigation system as described and explained indetail above in connection with FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 5. And, as describedabove, a processor is used for processing signals which include inputdata from input devices, e.g. keypads or other input keys, GPS signalsfrom GPS components, and data received from I/O ports in order toperform the methods described herein. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6,the navigation aid method for performing a route calculation includesdynamically receiving data in block 610. In one embodiment, as shown inFIG. 6, dynamically receiving data 610 includes dynamically receivingdata relating to a portion of a particular thoroughfare in a route. Inthe embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the method includes calculating a newroute to a desired destination with a preference for avoiding theparticular portion of the thoroughfare in the route in block 620. In oneembodiment, the method further includes performing a route cost analysisin order to calculate the new route to the desired destination. And, inone embodiment, the method further includes displaying the new route.

As one of ordinary skill in the art will understand upon reading thisdisclosure, in some embodiments the new route, based on a performedroute cost analysis, avoids the particular portion of the thoroughfarein the route. In some embodiments, the new route, based on a performedroute cost analysis, partially avoids the particular portion of thethoroughfare in the route. And, in some embodiments, the new route,based on a performed route cost analysis, does not avoid the particularportion of the thoroughfare in the route.

As shown in block 630 of FIG. 6, the method includes a determination ofwhether the new route is acceptable. As one of ordinary skill in the artwill appreciate upon reading this disclosure, the determination ofwhether the new route is acceptable can be based upon additionallyreceived dynamic data. By way of example and not by way of limitation,the additionally received dynamic data can include dynamic data input bya user of the device indicating that the user is not satisfied with thenew route in which case the method returns to block 610 to dynamicallyreceive data. In one embodiment, the additionally received dynamic inputcan include instructions to calculate yet another new route usingadditional data for avoiding a portion of a thoroughfare in a previousroute, one or more thoroughfares in the previous route, and/or one ormore sections in the previous route. As used herein, the previous routecan include a previous detour route and/or an earlier planned route.Additionally, the additionally received dynamic input can includeinstructions to continue navigating an original route and/or previouslyplanned route.

As one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate upon reading andunderstanding this disclosure the method sequence shown in blocks610–630 can be repeated as many times as necessary, without limitation,in order to achieve a desired route. According to one embodiment of theteachings of the present invention, all of the dynamically received datais stored in the memory of the device and is operable upon each time thesequence in blocks 610–630 is repeated. Thus, the present inventionprovides a system, device and method by which information receivedbetween re-route, new route, or detour route calculations is maintained.

As shown in FIG. 6, if the new route is acceptable, or once a desiredroute is attained, then the method proceeds to block 640 and navigatesthe new route.

In one embodiment according to the teachings of the present invention,the method for calculating a new route in block 620 to a desireddestination includes calculating a second new route different from afirst new route, wherein the first new route is a first detour route.And, calculating the second new route includes calculating the secondnew route with a preference for avoiding a particular portion of athoroughfare in the first detour route and the particular portion of thethoroughfare in the route. One of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate upon reading and understanding this disclosure that othervariations on the above scenario are included within the scope of thepresent invention. That is, calculating the second new route can includecalculating the second new route with a preference for avoiding one ormore thoroughfares in any previous route, and/or one or more sections inany previous route.

Thus, as one of ordinary skill in the art will understand upon readingthis disclosure, the present invention provides a method by which one ormore detours, new route calculations, or re-route calculations can avoidgenerating a route which re-includes that portion, thoroughfare, orsection of a route which is sought to be avoided.

According to one embodiment of the invention, dynamically receiving datarelating to the portion of the particular thoroughfare in the route inblock 610 includes dynamically receiving data defining a distance alongthe portion of the particular thoroughfare. In one embodiment,dynamically receiving data relating to the portion of the particularthoroughfare in the route in block 610 includes assigning a preferencefor avoiding the portion of the particular thoroughfare. In oneembodiment, the dynamically received data includes data relating to apreference level for avoiding the portion of the particularthoroughfare. By way of example, this preference level data can includea high, medium, or low preference level which can be operated upon in aroute cost analysis.

As mentioned above, in one embodiment the method further includesdynamically receiving data relating to one or more thoroughfares in theroute and calculating a new route to a desired destination with apreference for avoiding the one or more thoroughfares in the route. Inone embodiment, dynamically receiving data relating to one or morethoroughfares in the route includes dynamically receiving data relatingto the group consisting of a thoroughfare name, a thoroughfareclassification, and a thoroughfare type. As used herein, thoroughfareclassification can include a speed classification, e.g. a 25, 55, or 75mph speed classification. And as used herein, thoroughfare type canincludes a designated thoroughfare type such as an interstate, countyroad, state road, state highway, and the like classification. Theinvention is not so limited.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of another embodiment of a navigation aidmethod according to the teachings of the present invention. As shown theembodiment of FIG. 7, the method begins in block 710 by determining acurrent position of the navigation device along a route. As one ofordinary skill in the art will understand upon reading this disclosure,determining or calculating a position of the navigation device isachieved in some embodiments using a GPS. The invention, however, is notso limited. It is further readily appreciated that the current positionof the navigation device may be displayed on cartographic data and thatthe current position can be on a previously planned route.

In block 720, the method includes retrieving a re-route, new route, ordetour route data structure based on input data. As one or ordinaryskill in the art will understand upon reading this disclosure, oneembodiment for retrieving a re-route, new route, or detour route datastructure based on input data 710 can include receiving user input datawhich selects a re-route, new route, or detour route menu option.

In one embodiment, as shown in block 730 of FIG. 7, the method includesdetermining a distance to avoid for a particular portion of athoroughfare in a route which is currently provided for the device. Inone embodiment, determining a distance to avoid for a particular portionof a thoroughfare in a route which is currently provided for the deviceincludes a user selecting a distance to avoid in a current route fromamong a number of options in a detour route menu. For example,determining a distance to avoid can include determining a distance froma number of integral distances, e.g. 1, 5, 10, and 20 miles. Likewise,determining a distance to avoid can include a user inputting a distancevalue. The invention, however, is not so limited. One of ordinary skillin the art will further understand that in some embodiments the methodincludes determining one or more thoroughfares to avoid in a route whichis currently provided for the device, and/or determining one or moresections to avoid in a route which is currently provided for the device.As used herein, one or more sections can includes one or more portionsof a thoroughfare, one or more portions of one thoroughfare and one ormore portions of another thoroughfare, one or more portions of onethoroughfare and one or more other thoroughfares, or any combinationsthereof for a route which is currently provided for the device. Theinvention is not so limited.

In block 740, the method includes calculating a new route based on thedetermination made in block 730. Thus, by way of example and not by wayof limitation, the method embodiment shown in FIG. 7 includescalculating a new route in block 740 based on the device's determinedposition and the distance determined in block 730. However in otherembodiments, calculating the new route can be performed based on thedetermined one or more thoroughfares and/or the determined one or moresections to avoid in a route which is currently provided for the device.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, calculating thenew route in block 740 based on the determination made in block 730includes dynamically calculating the new route based on thedetermination in block 730 and based on a route cost analysis. One ofordinary skill in the art will understand upon reading and understandingthis disclosure, the manner in which a new route can be calculated usingthe determination made in block 730 and factoring that determination into a route processing algorithm which performs a route cost analysis.That is, in one embodiment, such as that described in FIG. 7, thepresent invention is operable to perform a route calculation whichstrongly avoids the distance along a particular portion of athoroughfare determined in block 730, or in other embodiments stronglyavoids one or more particular thoroughfares and/or more sections in aroute which is currently provided for the device.

In one embodiment, in order to achieve the above result, the method ofthe present invention assigns a greater cost to particular nodes in anetwork of thoroughfares based on the determination made in block 730.As used herein, every places two thoroughfares intersect is termed anode. Thus, every node on a given thoroughfare connects one thoroughfareto another thoroughfare, which can be referred to as an adjacency, oradjacent thoroughfare. The term adjacency information, or adjacencies,is intended to include any thoroughfare which intersects anotherthoroughfare in a network of thoroughfares which are available for usein a potential route. According to the teachings of the presentinvention adjacency criteria includes, but is not limited to, the degreeof turn angles between one thoroughfare and another, connected by a nodein a network of thoroughfares which are available for use in a potentialroute. The term adjacency can further include can information relatingto the thoroughfare on which the device is located and adjacentthoroughfares connected thereto by a node, thoroughfare names,thoroughfare classifications, speed classification of the thoroughfares,and other criteria of the like.

As one of ordinary skill in the art will understand upon reading thisdisclosure, data representing the cost assigned to a given node betweena given thoroughfare and an adjacency, as well as data representingadjacency criteria are used in performing a route cost analysis. Thus,in one embodiment of the present invention, assigning a greater cost toone or more particular nodes in a network of thoroughfares based on thedetermination made in block 730 reduces the likelihood of a givenportion, thoroughfare, or section being chosen as part of the route fromamong the network of thoroughfares in cartographic data which areavailable for use in a potential route.

Finally, as shown in FIG. 7, once the new route has been calculate inblock 740, the method proceeds to block 750 and navigates the new route.It is will readily be appreciated that the new route for the device canbe navigated for the device according to the methods described herein.However, the invention is not limited to a single particular method ofnavigating the route in block 750.

In some embodiments, the methods provided above are implemented as acomputer data signal embodied in a carrier wave or propagated signal,that represents a sequence of instructions which, when executed by aprocessor, such as processor 410 in FIGS. 4A and 4B or processor 504 inFIG. 5, cause the processor to perform the respective method. In otherembodiments, methods provided above are implemented as a set ofinstructions contained on a computer-accessible medium, such as memory430 in FIGS. 4A and 4B or mass storage device 512 in FIG. 5, capable ofdirecting a processor, such as processor 410 in FIGS. 4A and 4B orprocessor 504 in FIG. 5, to perform the respective method. In varyingembodiments, the medium is a magnetic medium, an electronic medium, oran optical medium.

As one of ordinary skill in the art will understand upon reading thisdisclosure, the electronic components of device 400 shown in FIGS. 4Aand 4B and components of the system 500 shown in FIG. 5 can be embodiedas computer hardware circuitry or as a computer-readable program, or acombination of both. In another embodiment, system 500 is implemented inan application service provider (ASP) system.

The system of the present invention includes software operative on aprocessor to perform methods according to the teachings of the presentinvention. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand, uponreading and comprehending this disclosure, the manner in which asoftware program can be launched from a computer readable medium in acomputer based system to execute the functions defined in the softwareprogram. One of ordinary skill in the art will further understand thevarious programming languages which may be employed to create a softwareprogram designed to implement and perform the methods of the presentinvention. The programs can be structured in an object-orientation usingan object-oriented language such as Java, Smalltalk or C++, and theprograms can be structured in a procedural-orientation using aprocedural language such as COBOL or C. The software componentscommunicate in any of a number of means that are well-known to thoseskilled in the art, such as application program interfaces (A.P.I.) orinterprocess communication techniques such as remote procedure call(R.P.C.), common object request broker architecture (CORBA), ComponentObject Model (COM), Distributed Component Object Model (DCOM),Distributed System Object Model (DSOM) and Remote Method Invocation(RMI). However, as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in theart upon reading this disclosure, the teachings of the present inventionare not limited to a particular programming language or environment.

CONCLUSION

The above systems, devices and methods have been described, by way ofexample and not by way of limitation, with respect to improvingaccuracy, processor speed and ease of user interaction with a navigationdevice. That is, the systems, devices and methods provide for anavigational route planning device which is more efficient and accuratethan current low cost systems, without requiring the more expensivesystem resources. The systems, devices and methods of the presentinvention offer an improved navigational route planning device whichprovide dynamic route calculation capabilities. The device is capable ofselecting a detour around one or more portions of a thoroughfare, agroup of thoroughfares, or one or more sections in a network ofthoroughfares. Thus in instances where a thoroughfare may be lessdesirable for travel, such as for reasons which include accidents,thoroughfare conditions, thoroughfare types, checkpoints and the like,the device calculates a new route to navigate to the desireddestination. In order to calculate the new route, the device performs aroute cost analysis.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the artthat any arrangement which is calculated to achieve the same purpose maybe substituted for the specific embodiment shown. This application isintended to cover any adaptations or variations of the presentinvention. It is to be understood that the above description is intendedto be illustrative, and not restrictive. Combinations of the aboveembodiments, and other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill inthe art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the inventionincludes any other applications in which the above systems, devices andmethods are used. The scope of the invention should be determined withreference to the appended claims, along with the full scope ofequivalents to which such claims are entitled.

1. A navigation system with route calculation capabilities, comprising:a server having a processor and a memory, the memory having cartographicdata and a route stored therein to navigate from a beginning position toa desired destination, the cartographic data including data indicativeof thoroughfares of a plurality of types, the route including a numberof decision points; and wherein the processor operates on a routecalculation algorithm and user-selectable preference levels, includinghigh, medium, and low preference levels relating to a portion of aparticular thoroughfare in a route in order to calculate a new route. 2.The navigation system of claim 1, wherein the system further includes: amass data storage adapted to store navigation data; and a navigationdevice adapted to communicate with and retrieve the route and thecartographic data from the server via a communication channel, whereinthe navigation device includes a display adapted to display the newroute.
 3. The navigation system of claim 1, wherein the communicationchannel includes a wireless channel.
 4. The navigation system of claim2, wherein the server includes a processor adapted to respond to arequest from the navigation device by performing operations on theuser-selectable preference levels relating to the portion of theparticular thoroughfare and transmitting results to the navigationdevice.
 5. The navigation system of claim 1, wherein the navigationdevice adapted to communicate with and retrieve the route andcartographic data from the server using cellular communicationtechnology.
 6. The navigation system of claim 1, wherein the serverreceives data relating to at least a portion of a particularthoroughfare in a route; and calculates a new route to the desireddestination, in view of a selection of the preference levels, whereinthe preference level selected is factored into whether a particularportion of a route is selected.
 7. A navigation system with routecalculation capabilities, comprising: a server having a processor and amemory, the memory having cartographic data and a route stored thereinto navigate from a beginning position to a desired destination, thecartographic data including data indicative of thoroughfares of aplurality of types, the route including a number of decision points; andwherein the processor receives data relating to at least a portion of aparticular thoroughfare in a route; and calculates a new route to thedesired destination based on integral re-route distances.
 8. Thenavigation system of claim 7, wherein the system further includes: amass data storage adapted to store navigation data; and a navigationdevice adapted to communicate with and retrieve the route and thecartographic data from the server via a communication channel, whereinthe navigation device includes a display adapted to display the newroute.
 9. The navigation system of claim 7, wherein the communicationchannel includes a wireless channel.
 10. The navigation system of claim8, wherein the server includes a processor adapted to respond to arequest from the navigation device by performing operations onuser-selectable preference levels relating to the portion of theparticular thoroughfare and transmitting results to the navigationdevice.
 11. The navigation system of claim 7, further including anavigation device adapted to communicate with and retrieve the route andcartographic data from the server using cellular communicationtechnology.
 12. The navigation system of claim 7, wherein the servercalculates the new route to the desired destination, in view of aselection of the preference levels, wherein the preference levelselected is factored into whether a particular portion of a route isselected.